Mercedes 'now willing' to power Red Bull

MARANELLO, Italy - Mercedes has reportedly now joined Ferrari in being prepared to supply engines to Red Bull in 2016.

Ferrari boss Sergio Marchionne, his team, and current 'power unit' partner Renault close to divorce, has offered to sell Maranello-made units to Red Bull from 2916.

However, it's believed the Ferrari deal would have kept its new customer a specification behind the works team, which intensified Red Bull's alternative approach to Mercedes.

FINDING A BALANCE

Mercedes, by contrast, insists it always supplies identical equipment with full equality to its customers and may have a vacancy in its roster open up for 2016 if Lotus is bought by Renault.

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff told Germany's Sport Bild: "Actually, one should not help to make one's opponents stronger, but we also need to find a balance between pure egoism and the welfare of the championship.

"Of course we know it's important to have a healthy and exciting platform, as victories are always more valuable if they are against strong competition.

"As a team we are first and foremost geared to seek our advantages and win the championship... as participants we also have a responsibility to the series as a whole."